The Theosophical Society
was founded in New York in 1875, jointly by Madame H. P. Blavatsky, a
Russian, and Col. H. S. Olcott, an American, assisted by others. In 1879,
the world Headquarters was shifted to Bombay and later in 1882 to Adyar, Madras.
It is an international organization with membership which now includes over 70
countries.

The three declared Objects of the Theosophical Society
are:

1.To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity,
without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour

2.To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and
Science

3.To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent
in man

Col. H. S. Olcott was the first President, followed by Dr. Annie
Besant (1907-1933), Dr. G. S. Arundale (1934-1945), Mr. C. Jinarajadasa
(1946-1953), Mr. N. Sri Ram (1953-1973) and Mr. John B. S. Coats (1973-1979).
Mrs. Radha Burnier is the present President of this International body, since
her election in 1980.

The Theosophical Society is composed of students, belonging to any religion in the world
or to none, who are united by their approval of the Society’s Objects, by their
wish to remove religious antagonisms and to draw together people of goodwill,
whatsoever their religious opinions, and by their desire to study religious
truths and to share the results of their studies with others. Their bond of
union is not the profession of a common belief, but a common search and
aspiration for Truth. They hold that Truth should be sought by study, by
reflection, by purity of life, by devotion to high ideals, and they regard Truth
as a prize to be striven for, not as a dogma to be imposed by authority. They
consider that belief should be the result of individual study or intuition, and
not its antecedent, and should rest on knowledge, not on assertion. They extend
tolerance to all, even to the intolerant, not as a privilege they bestow but as
a duty they perform, and they seek to remove ignorance, not to punish it. They
see every religion as an expression of the Divine Wisdom and prefer its study to
its condemnation, and its practice to proselytism. Peace is their watchword, as
Truth is their aim.

THEOSOPHY

Theosophy is the body of truths which forms the basis of all religions, and
which cannot be claimed as the exclusive possession of any. It offers a
philosophy which renders life intelligible, and which demonstrates the Justice
and the love which guide its evolution. It puts death in its rightful place, as
a recurring incident in an endless life, opening the gateway to a fuller and
more radiant existence. It restores to the world the Science of the Spirit,
teaching man to know the Spirit as himself and the mind and body as his
servants. It illuminates the scriptures and doctrines of religions by unveiling
their hidden meanings, and thus justifying them at the bar of intelligence, as
they are ever justified in the eyes of intuition.

Members of the Theosophical Society study these truths, and
Theosophists endeavour to live them. Everyone willing to study, to be tolerant,
to aim high, and to work perseveringly, is welcomed as a member, and it rests
with the member to become a true Theosophist.

FREEDOM
OF THOUGHT

As the Theosophical Society has spread far and wide over the
civilized world, and as members of all religions have become members of it
without surrendering the special dogmas, teachings and beliefs of their
respective faiths, it is thought desirable to emphasize the fact that there is
no doctrine, no opinion, by whomsoever taught or held, that is in any way
binding on any member of the Society, none which any member is not free to
accept or reject. Approval of its three Objects is the sole condition of
membership. No teacher or writer, from H. P. Blavatsky downwards, has any
authority to impose his teachings or opinions on members. Every member has an
equal right to attach himself to any teacher or to any school of thought which
he may choose, but has no right to force his choice on any other. Neither a
candidate for any office, nor any voter, can be rendered ineligible to stand or
vote, because of any opinion he may hold, or because of membership in any school
of thought to which he may belong. Opinions or beliefs neither bestow privileges
nor inflict penalties. The members of the General Council earnestly request
every member of the Theosophical Society to maintain, defend and act upon these
fundamental principles of the Society, and also fearlessly to exercise his own
right of liberty of thought and of expression thereof, within the limits of
courtesy and consideration for others.

FREEDOM
OF THE SOCIETY

The Theosophical Society, while co-operating with all other
bodies whose aims and activities make such co-operation possible, is and must
remain an organization entirely independent of them, not committed to any
objects save its own, and intent upon developing its own work on the broadest
and most inclusive lines, so as to move towards its own goal as indicated in and
by the pursuit of those objects and that Divine Wisdom which in the abstract is
implicit in the title, The Theosophical Society.

Since Universal Brotherhood and the Divine Wisdom are undefined
and unlimited, and since there Is complete freedom for each and every member of
the Society in thought and action, the Society seeks ever to maintain its own
distinctive and unique character by remaining free of affiliation or
identification with any other organization.

WHY
JOIN THE SOCIETY?

Many of us are members because we want to help this great
organization which exists for a supremely altruistic purpose - altruism
in a deep, true and extended sense. The Society does not exist for our own
edification, much less for our amusement or glorification; it exists in order
that each one of us may lend his or her strength, give of his or her light and in whatever
capacity he or she may have, to make the world a better place in which to live; better
not merely from a physical point of view, but with a more spiritual climate, a
rarer, more vital atmosphere where all delicate and wonderful things may grow.

ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP

THE SOCIETY is organized into national sections. These are
further organized into Federations, and branches or Lodges. All groupings of
members, whether local or national, are largely autonomous, framing their own
rules, electing their own officers, raising their own funds and promoting the
purpose of the Society according to their own understanding.